Pille, KU softball shut out UMKC twice

Kansas University sophomore Alicia Pille shut out UMKC twice, allowing just three total hits against 20 strikeouts in KU’s 11-0 and 4-0 victories Wednesday night at Arrocha Ballpark.

Although UMKC (16-19) slowed the hot-hitting Jayhawks (29-13) in the second game, the Kangaroos were unable to get anything going against Pille (13-6). She went the distance in both games, tossing her sixth and seventh shutouts of the season.

“Alicia Pille looked really sharp today,” KU coach Megan Smith said. “Her first game went so well that we wanted to see her do it again. So we put her back out there and she looked just as sharp. It’s good for her to get those innings in to get ready for this weekend (against Baylor).”

Pille pitched a one-hitter in the opener and a two-hitter in the nightcap.

“It kind of felt like one long game after the first one ended quickly,” Pille said. “So we just kept rolling. I think that’s the first time I’ve done that (struck out 20 in one day), so it’s exciting.”

Alex Hugo and Maddie Stein homered for KU in the first game, and Maggie Hull doubled and tripled in the second game.

“Those are two good wins,” Smith said. “UMKC always plays us tough. They have a really good offense and a really good team. That first game, we just caught fire and didn’t stop so that was really good for us. In the second game, I thought their pitcher did a really good job. She bounced back and held us, but we worked extremely hard and I thought Pille was the star tonight.”